Year 2012

Deutsche Bank`s Middle East Foundation partners with Synergos in the Arab World Social Innovators Program

Dubai, 23 October 2012 – Deutsche Bank’s Middle East Foundation announced today its partnership with Synergos by supporting its Arab World Social Innovators program (AWSI).

The Arab World Social Innovators program aims to increase the scale and sustainability of successful initiatives that bring social and economic change to poor and marginalized communities. Launched by Synergos in 2008, the program selects and supports exceptional entrepreneurs, providing them with tailored services to enhance their leadership and expand the impact of their initiatives.

Social innovators are highly motivated, resourceful individuals who are passionate about solving problems affecting their communities. They combine a business approach with a strong determination to achieve a social impact in areas ranging from education, youth development, employment, the environment, health and empowerment of disadvantaged groups in society.

Deutsche Bank’s Middle East Foundation partnership with Synergos will support the current class of the Social innovators class of 14 grassroots leaders from Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and the UAE. In addition, it will support the upcoming recruitment for the third group participating in the Arab World Social Innovators program 2013 targeting high priority sectors such as youth employment, education and environmental issues.

Commenting on the partnership, Philippe Vollot, Chairman of Deutsche Bank’s Middle East Foundation and the Bank’s regional Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are really delighted that we have established this partnership with Synergos through our Middle East Foundation. We are looking forward to working together with Synergos and participate in the selection of the third group of Arab World Social Innovators and provide support and visibility to initiatives that will encourage young people to embark on their own initiatives for social impact. Our participation in the Arab World Social Innovators program is an investment in an effective model to strengthen local social entrepreneurs through the Arab world.”

Robert Dunn, Synergos' President and CEO, said: "The Social Innovators are catalysts for change at the local and sometimes national or regional levels. With support from Deutsche Bank's Middle East Foundation, we're helping them scale-up their initiatives, reaching more people and new constituencies, while demonstrating new ideas that can bring about lasting change in region."

“As a result of the Arab World Social Innovators Program, we created the first independent trade union of fisherman in Egypt. We now have 6,000 fishermen organized and we are dedicated to reach 10,000 soon. The power of them being organized has benefited them and expanded their reach from the local fisherman market to reaching a national market throughout Egypt.” said Maher Abdel Malak, Arab World Social Innovator.

Established in 2008, Deutsche Bank’s Middle East Foundation is one of the Bank’s foundations around the globe such as Asia, Africa and the Americas. In addition, Deutsche Bank has active CSR programs across Europe and the UK. Deutsche Bank’s Middle East Foundation focuses on funding investments in arts, education, community development, sustainability, and volunteering in the Middle East North Africa region.For further information, please call: